A member of Republican leadership in the state Senate is taking a temporary leave of absence for health reasons.
Assistant Majority Leader Michael Diedrich of Rapid City has been unable to attend session since the first week due to a blood clot that required emergency surgery.
South Dakota Broadcasters Association reports that surgery was successful, and Diedrich is recovering at home.
Sen. Majority Leader Casey Crabtree said Diedrich’s leadership has been missed, and he hopes to see him back in Pierre soon.
“I want to give credit to our team members who all stepped up to fill those committee slots and make sure the work of the people is still being done here in Pierre while our friend is at home, resting up and getting better,” Crabtree said.
Diedrich’s temporary absence leaves an even bigger hole in representation from the Black Hills region. Both the House and Senate have a vacancy in a Rapid City-area district.
Gov. Kristi Noem said she’s waiting for a Supreme Court opinion clarifying legislator conflict of interest rules before filling those vacancies.
Diedrich is one of the legislature’s most experienced members. He was first elected to the senate in 1987, and served several terms through the late 1990s. He returned in 2017 after getting appointed by then-governor Dennis Daugaard.